10 Signs You Have a Leaky Gut—and How to Heal It

Created: 11/26/2013

Last Updated: 03/29/2018

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by Samantha Parent Walravens

My body never completely bounced back after I had my first child—15 years ago. I've told myself that my symptoms were part of being a busy mom: fatigue, digestive problems, joint pain, insomnia, low libido, even mild-grade depression. Many moms I know suffer the same ailments, or worse. They'll subside at some point, I told myself.

My health care provider tested me over the years for various medical conditions—from anemia and thyroid disorders to mononucleosis and Lyme disease. The tests always came out negative. "You just need to sleep more and manage your stress better," he told me.

I found an answer four months ago when I went to see Willie Victor, a nutritionist in Mill Valley, California, whose practice is based on the healing properties of food. She asked me to keep a food diary and take a blood test for food allergies and sensitivities.

The results were shocking. It turns out I was "highly sensitive" (not quite allergic, but almost) to a number of foods that had been a regular part of my daily diet—dairy, soy, sugar, caffeine and gluten.

She told me that I had "leaky gut syndrome," a condition that is not typically diagnosed but could be affecting the health of many people. Dr. Robynne Chutkan, assistant professor of medicine at Georgetown University Hospital, says leaky gut "is likely to emerge as one of the most significant medical concepts of our time."

What is leaky gut?

Leaky gut, or "intestinal permeability,"as Victor explained, is a condition in which the lining of the small intestine becomes damaged, causing undigested food particles, toxic waste products and bacteria to "leak" through the intestines and flood the blood stream. The foreign substances entering the blood can cause anautoimmune response in the body including inflammatory and allergic reactionssuch as migraines, irritable bowel, eczema, chronic fatigue, food allergies, rheumatoid arthritis and more.

With leaky gut, damaged cells in your intestines don't produce the enzymes needed for proper digestion. As a result, your body cannot absorb essential nutrients, which can lead to hormone imbalances and a weakened immune system.

What causes leaky gut?

In many cases, leaky gut is caused by your diet. For me, certain foods that I was consuming every day, including gluten, soy and dairy, were being treated by my body as foreign invaders that had to be fought off. When I ate these foods, my body went to war, producing antibodies, which triggered an immune response that included diarrhea, headaches, fatigue and joint pain.

Leaky gut can also be caused by medications including antibiotics, steroids or over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin and acetaminophen, which can irritate the intestinal lining and damage protective mucus layers. This irritation can start or continue the inflammation cycle that leads to intestinal permeability.

10 signs you have a leaky gut:

According to Dr. Leo Galland, director of the Foundation for Integrated Medicine, the following symptoms might be signs of leaky gut:

The key to healing a leaky gut is changing your diet and eliminating the foods that your body treats as toxic. On the advice of my nutritionist, I eliminated gluten, dairy, soy, refined sugar, caffeine and alcohol. Within six weeks, I was feeling like a new person. My energy levels were way up, the diarrhea and bloating had subsided, and I was sleeping like a baby at night.

In addition to eliminating certain foods, I added a few things to help repair my leaky gut. These included healthy fats such as fish, coconut and olive oils; avocados and flax; probiotics to restore the healthy bacteria in my gastrointestinal tract; and L-glutamine, an amino acid that rejuvenates the lining of the intestinal wall.

Within three months, I had controlled my leaky gut. I have to adhere to my new dietary changes or I suffer the consequences—diarrhea, bloating and fatigue. But it's a small price to pay for feeling so alive and healthy again!

If you have any of the symptoms I mentioned, get checked by your health care provider. I had sensitivities to certain foods, but your symptoms could be caused by other issues. It's important to design a treatment plan that fits your issues.

Comments

I have been trying to figure this out. I had a bad rash on my upper arms that has been on and off for about 6 years. After Dr.'s, Cleanses, over the counter remedies, acupuncture etc. etc. etc. One Dr. finally said it was gluten.

I cut gluten out but the rash didn't get better.

I realized the rash went crazy after I was in the hospital twice and on antibiotics (including intense strong ones through an IV Pick in my arm) for a total of about 6 or more weeks.

I have started no gluten in December, at the end of the month, that didn't work, then I went to No Dairy, soy, corn, peanuts, sugar, and gluten.

The rash got a little better, and my bloat started to go down. I was having two pea protein shakes a day (with flax and chia) and a healthy meal and a snack.

Then the bloat came back. I realized I was using xylitol, which also messes with your gut.

Still nothing.

Now I took out seeds: flax, chia and nuts, no almonds etc.

I woke up this morning still frustrated and bloated and my wedding ring doesn't fit and my face looks round and my boobs are huge.

Hi, Carolyn,
I just came upon your post. I see it’s over two years old; what you describe is very similar to what my daughter has been going through. I am wondering if you have figured it out and if you are doing better?

Hi Carolyn. I hope you've been able to figure things out by now, but if not, let me lend some optimistic advice: It's the pea protein. I went through ten years of elimination diets, each one stacked on the last. I didn't resolve my issues (mostly) until I cut out all foods containing a high level of lectins - all grains (gluten!), all legumes (soy! peas!), all dairy, all seeds, all nightshades, all nuts. I'm probably forgetting something. It got to the point where I had to cut out some histamine-inducing foods as well, like chocolate, tea, and cured meats. But after six months of being on this most restrictive diet (eating more coconut than I ever will again), my gut has healed 95%. This past week I have eaten it all again, and have been fine. The bodyaches and arthritis, fatigue, GI symptoms (even audible gurgling), brain fog, acne, all of it-gone! I feel like I got a brand new digestive system. I hope it works out for you as well.

did you experience any depression as well? I have had GI problems for some time now but the psyche issues are the ones bothering me the most now.... hard to cope. And I believe they are linked to the GI because they come and go randomly throughout the day. How do you start this diet and what DID you eat ?

I have read many of the posts above and just thought I should share my experience. I had suffered for 10 years and more many of the symptoms you describe above but apart from that was considered healthy by my GP - he could find no reason I had these symptoms but put them down to IBS. I gave up gluten including barley, rye, malt and anything modified (ie starches) 3 years ago which improved my gut but didn't touch on the fatigue, feelings of sadness, unexplained weight gain and other stuff going on and by chance I happened to come across Dr Jeff Mccombes - candida link. I was so convinced of his diet treatments that I tried it for 12 weeks. This works - seriously. I had taken antibiotics numerous times, well frequently these past few years for one thing and another and never connected that this could be the cause. Try it, you will not believe the results, apart from losing pounds, you feel so much better, cured actually, but you are likely to always have the food intolerances so you just need to keep off the main culprits. I eat all fresh food, try to avoid processed or ready meal and defo avoid gluten containing foods. I feel alive after years of half living and can't believe what a difference it makes. You can do it cheaper than Dr Jeffs link though and if you want info, just respond. Will happily advise where I bought alternative supplements.

I do believe that many of us suffer from this condition but it can't be diagnosed by routine blood checks.

Hello, I am desperately seeking help. I have read most posts and hear different symptoms, different advice, I need some advice or a turn in the right direction.

About 6 years ago I had a septic tooth removed and was placed on a massive amount of strong antibiotics. Next I had a complete hysterectomy and again placed on a massive amount of strong antibiotics. After a lengthy recovery, my face suddenly ballooned up, my neck swelled up massively almost to the choking point. Glands on both sides of my larynx would continuously swell like a golf ball, also my face began itching HORRIBLY to the point I wanted to take a gatdeg rake to it, it turned beet red in places and turned scaly .my eyes began leaking a clear sticky substance from both eyes. I am tired and run down constantly. I have a slow stomach and have acid reflux, nausea, vomiting even out my nose. I am bloated like a whale, sometimes have diarrhea, sometimes constipation.

Been to doctor after doctor, taken prescription after prescription for years, am not getting any help from any doctor so far,

So much conflicting advice, but a common denominator seems to be the balance between good and bad bacteria in the gut. When it gets out of whack (dysbiosis) candida can convert in the system from a good form of yeast to its havoc-wreaking fungus form. I would recommend researching candida. The basics to any candida plan is to eliminate sugar and reduce anything that turns into sugar (carbs etc) that feed the fungus. For me, this means no sugar, except an occasional small serving of low sugar fruit (berries) and low carb with the occasional small serving of brown rice or potatoes/sweet potatoea... no processed carbs. Also no mold prone foods such as peanuts. I’m also taking Undecylenic Acid which helps convert the Candida from its fungus form back to its harmless yeast form. Hope this helps!

I have candida and leaky gut link as well, it has almost been 10 years. I am having a lot of trouble following the leaky gut protocol and candida and find my self eating nothing but leafs and meat. When you were healing were you avoiding nuts and seeds like many people say to do for leaky gut? Also what about beans?

I lived a busy life of working 60hour weeks, new kids brought new stressors along with it and I fall for high protein diet while I was body building at the the time. This included 6 meals a day, either containing meat, fish or eggs.

Basically it's like the frog in the boiling pot story. It happens so slowing the changes over a year/years I didn't notice what was normal anymore so carried one medicated up.

3 years later and because doctors over looked the simple diseases I now suffer dysautonomia so nuro disorders and unable to work.

So from 105kg fit bloke to 75kg struggling to manage pain and attacks.

My point? Look for these early signs. I switched to 100% plant based looked into TCM after western failed me and do your own research and I'd you get a headache or any of these symptoms something is wrong. Adjust lifestyle and you can fix all these diseases.

For years I’ve experienced the very symptoms you described. What supplements do you take & where do you buy them? I’ve tried many but they’ve all made my stomach either upset or given me more gas and constipation.

So ive been experiencing my digestive problems about a year now. I use to work at Jersey mikes sub and i would eat the sandwhiches everyday with little water consumption. More so sweet tea and pepsi.I then began experiencing frequent stomach pains that would fade in and out.In March of last year my mother died and it took a huge toll on my life.I also have a three year old so im still in the process of trying to balance things out. Ive been to several drs and they only out me on meds thats doesnt help at all.So i began to take probiotics which seems to be working.I have frequent pain everydays and bloating. Somedays are better than others . Have anyone ever been cured once the diet change take place and did the pain leave for good once the gut healed???

Thank you so much for writing about leaky gut and your experiences with it. I've noticed on other sites as well that ADHD is considered a symptom of leaky gut. I feel compelled to point out that an ADHD diagnosis by itself is not enough of an indicator of leaky gut, particularly if you've had symptoms of ADHD since childhood. If the ADHD seemed to start later in life, and there was no brain injury, then that is more likely to indicate leaky gut or another cause. ADHD is over-diagnosed, but that's because a number of things can cause ADHD-like symptoms, including chronic sleep deprivation or food allergy, or leaky gut. But if you are getting the sleep and nutrition and relaxation that you specifically need (keeping various food intolerances in mind) and are still experiencing ADHD, then you may have true ADHD.
True ADHD comes from a difference in how the frontal lobe is formed and works - this can happen from birth or an injury. If it comes from the time of birth, what likely is happening is that you have less than the number of neurotransmitter receptors you need. This is the simplified explanation I give: say a person needs 8 portions of serotonin or dopamine or whatever to function correctly. A neurotypical person will have 8 receptors to absorb these 8 portions. An ADHD person will have 4 receptors, meaning they will only absorb half of what is produced. Of course, this means you won't be able to function correctly, and you probably won't feel right either -- even if you're born this way, your body knows it. Thus a person with ADHD has to stimulate the brain to produce 16 portions so they can get the 8 they need. If the person is not on a stimulate medication, then they will engage in "self-stimulating behaviors:" being hyperfocused on some area of interest, being extremely talkative, "motor always running," argumentative, creative projects, and so on. The self-stimulating behaviors can be positive or negative, the goal is to learn positive ones. If the ADHD is from an injury, something has likewise impeded the reception of neurotransmittors, although it may not specifically be from a lack of receptors as is most commonly the case with those born with it (there could be damage to the axons, or another part of the system). If you have true ADHD, eating the right foods and supplements can help tremendously, but it won't completely go away. It's possible to have leaky gut and ADHD - leaky gut syndrome will make the ADHD worse.
I just wanted to encourage anyone who reads this that if you've done everything you can for your leaky gut, and everything is better but you're still having ADHD symptoms, then it could be that you just also have true ADHD. There are treatment options and solutions just for ADHD. I personally like www.additudemag.com as a starting point for learning more, it helped me (no, I don't work for them, just recommend them). There are ways to navigate life that will work uniquely for you if you have the condition, it just won't look like most people's. And that's OK! Having ADHD is like realizing everyone has to cross a river and go 30 miles downstream to get to a destination, and you're one of the few who doesn't have a ticket to use the bridge. Your trip won't be as easy as those with a bridge-ticket, but you'll have a lot more stories to share as one who got to go white-water rafting to get to your journey's end!
And May God bless everyone who posted on this page, and reads it, with healing, body, mind, soul, and spirit.

Thankyou for your article. I have been sick for the last 2 months. No energy, constant nausea, vomiting, hard to keep anything down, dizziness, and it gets worse in the heat. I almost passed out yesterday. AND I was diagnosed with hyperhomecystienenemia 4 years ago. I have been tested for different gastric diseases. They thought I had gastroparesis, but the gastric emptying test was fine. I am looking at POTS, and now Leaky Gut as the reason I am so sick. My Dr. will probably disagree, but maybe not.
What kind of testing is done to diagnose leaky gut. Thanks!!

I have Hidradenitis suppurativa, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ( don't have insulin resistants) , get fever blister once in awhile,I am over weight, I eat healthy for the most part I eat lean meats,veggies, fruits,herbs, healthy fats, ice cream or sugar free pie, drink some coffee,tea water. I don't think i have leaky gut

My girlfriend has had issues that were misdiagnosed for sometime now with food and skin allergies. Her main symptoms include bloating, gas, diarrhea, and severe eczema on face/neck and hands that also burns/itches. After the last few yrs we believe her new Dr thinks it is leaky gut. We are in the process of removing gluten and dairy, and having her take supplements for intestine repair and probiotics.
Has anyone else experience severe eczema, redness/burning and tightening of the skin/limps and around the eyes? This is the worst symptom she has and keeps her up (more recently) at night. Any feedback would help from the community.
Thanks for any feedback.

Yes, I have horrible hives and rashes and very sensitive to all scents touch and food. My Chiro was the one who finally suggested taking enzymes for leaky gut. I have not yet removed dairy or gluten from my diet, but the issue began last year, after I ended a ketogenic diet. I've had severe skin rashes since then.

I found that Leaky Gut made my histamine levels run amok, giving me new allergic reactions (at one point to the sun!) and enhancing the effects of my known allergies. I took a daily over-the-counter antihistamine to help control it.

I have a question. How much L-Glutamine do you take a day? I have been told to take 1 teaspoon (3 grams) 30 minutes before a meal 3 times a day by a Nutritionist. Have also read that one should take 1 gram only 3 times a day. For Leaky Gut. Thanks so ,much!

My 11 year old daughter has morphea and has spots coming up all on parts of her body she also was diagonased with celiac disease last year and concerned they are both auto ammuine diseases they maybe from leaky gut been to specialists locally but just adived to put creams on spots ..I feel it is to do with the gut anyone know how to help or reccommend someone
thanks Tracenta

I was speaking to a naturopath about my daughter, who suffers from eczema and allergies. He mentioned that she was more than likely suffering from leaky gut syndrome. This prompted me to do some research on the subject and I soon realised that I too had many of the symptoms. I was extremely fatigued and extremely anxious. I had joint pain and suffered from poor immunity. I decided to take drastic action and cut out all sugar and wheat products and although I didn’t give up dairy, I went lactose free. (I generally only have a small amount of milk in my morning coffee). The first thing I noticed was that the joint pain disappeared. The fatigue improved over time and the anxiety is dissipating daily. I take coconut oil daily, hydrolysed gelatin (which provides collagen to heal the leaky gut), moringa powder (provides amino acids) and cinnamon powder (to reduce insulin resistance). I add them all to a smoothie consisting of mainly baby spinach leaves and I add 1/2 kiwi, ginger, lemon juice, cucumber and berries. I find that this kick starts my day and gives me energy. I make my own gluten free bread for lunch and I eat relatively normal meals for dinner (like meat, fish or chicken and vegetables or salad). I don’t eat grains and I use gluten free pasta for bolognaise, lasagne etc. I do eat oats because they have a probiotic effect on the bowel. I have 1 coffee a day, I drink greet tea and lemon between meals and I only drink filtered water. I take a good probiotic daily and an immune support supplement. Since I started these changes, I’ve lost weight regardless of whether I exercise or not and my current weight loss is 15kg. (This has been over a 12 month period, but I’ve kept the weight off and I’m continuing to lose weight). I wouldn’t say that I am completely healed, but I am certainly heading in the right direction. My daughters eczema has also improved as have her other symptoms related to leaky gut syndrome. I am so grateful to the naturopath that brought leaky gut to may attention and helped me to make positive changes to the health and wellbeing of myself and my family.

Most of what was discussed here also matches the symptoms of pyroluria. Among the symptoms listed here for leaky gut also are found inthe very prolific ailment named Pyroluria. I have been wrestling with : Lupus, Celiac Sprue, had three heart attacks, Coronary artery disease, Epilepsy, Congestive heart failure and been misdiagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, the list goes on -- but somehow I have not died -- and even experienced a hearth reversal for the past several years. My best friend, a registered nurse with lupus says I am "youthing." I think she coined the term but she is doing most of what I have done with alternative practioners like: examined food allergies, gotten acupuncture, taken vitamins for Pyroluria added L-glutamine to her diet for depression. So I am saying don't give up when your body is sending out a cry for help but try options that are recommended by your health conscious friends who are thriving. I am writing a detailed book about my own health journey spelling out how I reversed the trend towards an early death -- often instigated by drug pushers with MD after their name. Well the title of my book will be "A Lifetime of Healing" which explores healing from trauma, genetic issues,and misguided advice from under-informed, well-meaning doctors. I suggest that your own survival is worth some time at a medical or nutritional library. Explore nutritional options just in case they can help without all the side effects. By the way, I no longer have relentless joint pain or heart pain but I used to consume Ibuprofen like a food group. For me, that is an unexpected miracle.

I have been dealing with all if the symptoms listed for around 16 years. I have gotten horribly worse over the last 2 1/2 years. I was recently told that I have severe vitamin deficiencies. My doctor just says take vitamins and I will feel better. My theory is I need to find out why or what is causing this. Could leaky gut cause this problem.

This post clearly depicts how leaky gut can be treated with appropriate diet. Yes, many foods such as gluten and lentils will trigger the symptoms of leaky gut. One must understand the exact triggering foods and avoid them. Certain foods like fermented foods (probiotics) will help in treating the leaky gut syndrome. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post. Simple and informative.

Thanks for the article, I believe I may have some of the same issues. One question though, if going back and consuming these foods causes flare ups then have you really even healed anything or are you just treating the symptoms rather than the cause? If your gut lining is healed then consuming these foods on occasion shouldn't cause any issues right?

Hi, I have all the symptoms that come with Leaky Gut. At first thought it was SIBO but treatment was ineffective. I do not include gluten, sugars, dairy, soy or anything processed or artificial in my diet. I do not drink alcohol and have had this lifestyle for about 8 years. I have been on the low Fodmap for 4-5 year also and I am suffering so much with severe gas that it prevents me from sleeping and most days I am too uncomfortable to walk. I am having large amounts of hair lost which seems to coincide with the stress of this, I have been stuck like this for 9 months now. I see a Herbal practitioner who has started to do home visits to me and have been taking various Herbal Medicines for the symptoms which has done nothing to help. I have had relevant blood tests, stool tests and Colonoscopy which has detected nothing. Any advice is welcomed as I do not know what else to do and can not stay like this.

I have been experiencing for the past two months the WORST stomach issues. It came out of no where, but one day I woke up and anything I ate my stomach swelled to the size of a pregnant woman. I had severe constipation, and had no idea why. Oddly though, no pain unless my stomach was distended. Then it was more an uncomfortable feeling as opposed to pain. After a GI doctor who had no idea what was wrong, he tried me on Neomycin for SIBO. All this did was cause my stomach to swell again, and did not fix my issue. I started researching myself and picked up I might have candida overgrowth so started on CandiSmart from Whole Foods. Boom, I could go to the bathroom again and all constipation was gone. I've started taking oregano oil, garlic extract, CandiElim, Gastric Acid digestive enzyme support, and GlutoAloeMine. I am seeing some results, but still bloating with food. After seeing holistic doctor they are pretty sure I have leaky gut (can't do breath test for Sibo because you have to be off antibiotics for 3-4 weeks). I am only 25 and struggling to cut foods I love out of my diet but I am attempting to do 2 days of just bone broth to start healing the gut, and then move into just meat and vegetables. Any other advice?

I notice when I eat I get pain under my breasts. Every day diarrhea belching weight gain where I can't lose. I have a hard time sleeping, is this related?
I quit having dairy due to stomach issues got tested not allergic.

Hi I have been dealing with stomach issues since i was 17 i am 26 now . Terrible stomach pain , acid reflux, bowel movements pretty much do as they please 1 day i can be pooping all day and the next im constapated for 2 days or just stop pooping without the urge to go. As a teenager i would go to my PCP and complain of my bones hurting I came back so much she did a sed rate test and it was 34. Now I have constant joint pain, muscle weakness, memory loss, on top of all my stomach issues. recently i have been having food allergies to beef,ground beef, sausage, and dairy milk. everytime i eat these foods I feel so tired, and sick to my stomach sometimes i will vomit but thats rare. I want to know whats wrong with me I am sick of being "sick and tired". I have been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome

I have same problem from few years and tried some of the products. I was looking for the information about this and came across your article, and I thank you for talking about Leaky Gut Syndrome. Keep posting!

I just found The Food Paradox Cookbook by Dr. Gundry and have been able to get started quickly. He also explains about foods you should not eat, along with foods you can eat that are lectin-free. You should check it out. It's already making a big difference in my bloating and inflammation.

hi there my name is Sandra from Ghana, i am 26 years old now but as a child i developed a rash which later turned into a severe rash, it was very itchy , very dark and thick.i had it for almost 5 years after some time the whole thing went away not knowing what happened to it. now in the year 2017 after university i discovered the rash was coming back this time it spreaded very fast and more darker with inflamations, some small pores filled up with creamish fluid.i have tried everything possible but to no avail.i recently saw an article that leaky guts can lead to such skin disorder and also i have been attacked with candida since that time till now, i really need help and advice on foods and conditions to undertake. it is really stressing me as i have totally moved from my normal life and always indoors ,i dont have any form of social life.

I have been having many stomach issues for years. My gut swells until it feels like it is going to explode. Nausea frequents me as well as belching almost all the time. Stomach pain, headaches, earache, and much more. The doctor did an endoscopy & colonoscopy to rule out chrohn's and celiac. Telling me nothing was wrong except some diverticulosis. I hurt a lot everywhere. I can't lose weight no matter what I do. I appre3ciate the article on leaky gut. Everything sounds like me.